Don't be shocked if Favre case moves quickly

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 10, 2010, 9:41 AM EST

When Peter King and I were discussing on Saturday the potential topics for the halftime segment of the Pitt-Notre Dame game, we concluded that the investigation and eventual discipline (if any) of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre would extend into the offseason, and possibly fizzle out thereafter, especially if Favre makes good on his latest stated intention to retire.

After all, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing tested positive for hCG last September, he played the entire season despite clear evidence of what the NFL regards to be cheating, and he ultimately was suspended in May.

But we’ve continued to ponder the situation, and Peter and I now believe that this thing could — and arguably should — move a lot more quickly.

For starters, the NFL follows a different procedure when it comes to appeal rights under the Personal Conduct Policy than it does for the substance-abuse policy and the steroids policy. Under the latter two policies, no announcement comes from the league until the appeals process has been fully exhausted. Under the Personal Conduct Policy, the discipline is announced when imposed, with the appeal rights kicking in at that point.

So while it’s unlikely that any appeal from Favre would be resolved before the end of the season, the investigation and the announcement of the discipline could come before January 2011.

Then there’s the reality that the investigation shouldn’t be very complicated. With Jenn Sterger reportedly (per Peter King) cooperating, the NFL could have more than enough information to reach a conclusion that Favre violated the Personal Conduct Policy via his calls and text messages to Sterger — especially if Favre admits that he made the calls and sent the texts.

And this is more than a garden-variety he said/she said. There’s tangible evidence that could be tracked back to Favre’s cell phone or other technological devices.

Though it’s highly unlikely that a suspension would be imposed on Favre based only on the alleged calls and texts to Sterger, the investigation could uncover other evidence of similar behavior, and a pattern of misconduct is the kind of thing that gets a guy suspended. With new claims from a pair of massage therapists and the Jets reportedly referring their contact information to the NFL, that aspect of the case could escalate just as quickly as the Sterger claims. NFL Security also could begin to turn over rocks in Green Bay in an effort to see if this kind of stuff happened there.

Another factor to keep in mind is that, unlike the conduct of Ben Roethlisberger, Pacman Jones, and Mike Vick, Favre’s alleged actions potentially give rise to liability for the NFL and one or more of its member clubs. (More on that aspect of the situation is coming.) Thus, the league has even more reason in a case like this to take action.

So while the case and the appeal likely wouldn’t be finalized until Favre has finished his 20th and likely final football season, he could suffer the public indignity of a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell summarizing Favre’s behavior (if the league concludes he did it), chastising him for it, and announcing a penalty that will be imposed, subject to an appeal that wouldn’t be resolved until the imposition of a suspension or fine has become moot.

What wouldn’t be moot is the impact of the situation on Favre’s legacy.

What’s shocking to me is that a lot of media has detailed that Sterger has SOLD the texts and photos to Deadspon.com for a reported $ 75,000, the “most” they have ever paid and you still have not reported that fact…that she has already profited from this, nor have you weighed in with any emphasis that she has a Maxim spread coming in a matter of days.
Why not? It puts an entirely new spin on this.http://www.playerpress.com/articles/11846-favres-pictures-and-voicemails-to-sterger-sold-for-75-000
(any other sites too….)

Favre’s legacy? That he’s not gay, but a typical famous male athlete and star? Please, all he did was frat boy jokes. He didn’t go out and rape someone (hint). Nothing is going to happen to Favre. He is money in the bank to the NFL. Watch the ratings for MNF with the addition of Moss… Enough said…

Could have walked away and chose not to. You know the Rooneys will be whispering in Goodell’s ear every chance they get. Ben’s case is different but if stuff is pulled up from Green Bay and more people start speaking out from Minnesota and NY the league will be hard pressed to not impose sanctions this season.

It’ll move quickly alright. Just as soon as the Jets game is over. The Jets are the ones behind this whole thing. They’re looking for an edge against the Vikings. These “indiscretions” are almost 2 years old, made by women who are or have been employed by the Jets. Nobody went to the police or took any legal action. Phone or cyber sex will make anybody look foolish (remember that guys), if only half is disclosed. One of Sterger’s friends mentioned in a radio interview, that Sterger has a bunch of these type things from lots of guys, she seems to attract these “bad boys”. I wonder why?? King Roger should be told to f-off, until somebody takes legal action or goes to the police.

No wonder he did not want to retire. I think it is clear Brett, like many professional athletes, was messing around on his wife.
However, I am sure he loves his wife and did it in a manner that was still supportive to her.
Brett is a thoughtful and kind person. He was probably wearing pink condoms.

But, what if Favre didn’t really send the pictures and thereby doesn’t admit to anything??? Since there has been no investigation by the police, I don’t see how Brett Favre should admit to anything because it’s all he-said, she-said at this point.
Seriously, guys, when did “hunches” become hard evidence and victims reporting matters to the police and then the process of cases being investigated by the law?
I just don’t see how it is possible to convict – outside of the courts – especially if Favre does not corroborate the story.

Not sure what personal conduct policy was violated.
It remains to be seen whether or not Favre created a hostile workplace or required some sort of sexual favors in return for Ms. Sterger keeping her job. It seems that Ms. Sterger wasn’t too worried about either since she waited 2.5 yrs. and it really only came out after asked a question by Deadspin.
As for a pattern, asking married women out isn’t a pattern. If it was, many players in the NFL would be in violation of the NFL personal policy.

“So while it’s unlikely that any appeal from Favre would be resolved before the end of the season, the investigation and the announcement of the discipline could come before January 2011.”
So Favre will retire and not ghet suspended? What a crock! Suspend this man now 8 games! You have evidence, text and voice mail! Remember Jet fans, “SHE SAID NO!” to Favre!

Even Michael Vick knows well trained dogs MUST OBEY their masters. Those that don’t must be destroyed.
Even if everything said about Favre’s crude behavior is true, he hasn’t violated any laws and he hasn’t violently and intentionally injured anyone (unlike, say, the NO defense when it directly targeted Favre.)
The NFL Owners seek to keep their product viable by regulating human behavior. They make more money when their well-trained assets behave appropriately. They lose money when those assets (actual human beings) act in ways contrary to the image the owners imagine will generate more revenue.
In short, this sort of modern slavery permeates corporate cultures making outlaws of anyone and everyone outside their branded norm while explicitly supporting the violence and brutality that their “product” demands as a norm.
And this inherent hypocrisy isn’t limited to football.

The NFL will no doubt do its level best to keep this an “internal” matter until, say, March ….
The PR people will be trotting out the “still under investigation” statements until the season is over …..
Favre = ratings.
The NFL is all about protecting the brand – a brand that is diminishing owing to an increasing thug culture.

Sad to see this happening to a such great player but I am wondering if Favre were an African-American would he get the same treatment I am seeing? Is it me or I am dreaming that I am noticing the news investigative coverage is lacking? How quickly it was when Lawrence Taylor was outed. Is there a double standard?

As we Folks in Green Bay say…. This comes as no surprise to us. He’s been doing this for years! There are lots of stories around here, that involve him and Mark Chmura.
I’m more surprised it took this long for something to come out! LeRoy Butler even made a comment on local radio, that there is A LOT of stuff that could come out yet. He’s even surprised it took so long.

Favre’s legacy has already been cemented. Over rated, drug addicted, narcissitic, red neck gun slinger who focused on his own needs before the needs of the teams he played on, winning one Super Bowl because of Reggie White and Desmond Howard, but throwing many other legitimate chances away because he had to, just had to, make the “big play” rather than the right play. The fact this will end with confirmation that he is a sleaze bag who thinks he is immune to the norms and rules of society, forever placated by a complacent and complicit media, should be a surprise to no one unless you are one of the fawning dolts who can’t see the truth even when it smacks you square in the forehead.

These charges are 2 years old–where the hell have they been?
It’s a bit of a reach to not think this is convienent timing by those involved.
But gossip groupies being what they are–the sure final way to shut you guys up is for Favre and the Vikings to torch the Jets on Monday.
The NFC looks weak this year———-especially the Packers,Cowboys —-and the Saints.
Now play nice today kids——————————————Later!

Hauschild says: October 10, 2010 10:22 AM
Seriously, guys, when did “hunches” become hard evidence and victims reporting matters to the police and then the process of cases being investigated by the law?
———————————————————————-
Have you been living in a mushroom cave for the last thirty years? Stuff like this gets attention because if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…it’s usually a duck.

You people callings for suspensions are stupid. There’s a HUGE difference (generally speaking) between sending a photo of the little guy via text and having more than one woman say that you, Ben R, have phyically assaulted them.
HUGE difference.
*IF* Brett did this, the absolute worst thing that should happen to him is a fine.
Having been in the corporate world for a long time, I can say that IF he did this AND he backed off when asked – then he derserves a written warning and let’s move on.
Just because you hate Brett Favre for being Brett Favre doesn’t put this behavior, IF he did it, on par with the horrible things that Michael Vick, Daunte Stallworth, Vincent Jackson (and all of the other players who have gotten behind the wheel while impaired putting people’s LIVES at risk), Ben Roethlisberger and Johnny Jolly have done.

Ambrose says: October 10, 2010 10:37 AM
Hauschild says: October 10, 2010 10:22 AM
Seriously, guys, when did “hunches” become hard evidence and victims reporting matters to the police and then the process of cases being investigated by the law?
——————– ——————– ——————– ———-
Have you been living in a mushroom cave for the last thirty years? Stuff like this gets attention because if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…it’s usually a duck.
———————–
Yes, but ducks are also not guilty before proven innocent. With little miss attention Sterger coming out with a Maxim spread and the photos being sold for lots of money, there’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye, and neither you (in all your egotism) nor Florio (in all his egotism) know the full story here.

Favre’s legacy has already been cemented. Easily a top 5 QB of all time. Won a SB in which he threw for 2 first half TDs and ran for another putting the Packers comfortably ahead. Not at fault for losing the SB the year after. Reggie white and the atrocious defense is fault for that. Then after that is his legacy of playing for horrible coaches and GMs, including the current GM Ted Thompson. As fans in GB are now starting to realize, the Packers will never win the SB with him as GM.

I hate the Vikings, and Jets, and Packers. Having said that, this non-story is of zero consequence. Favre hasn’t violated any law and he hasn’t violated the league’s policy. This is yet another pathetic attempt by the “media” to influence league policy.
The objective media is dead. It has been co-opted by sycophants.
*Note: May I ask my fellow Wisconsinites (and everyone in Pennsylvania) to please stop posting here or anywhere else until you have completed your online GED courses?

This was on a message board makes you think alittle:
“Voice mails do not make sense at all. the voice on the tape says “you can get my number from erin or i can get yours, love to see you tonite so send me a text” um why would i need your if I just called you? How can you send me a text if you need to get my number from “Erin”? Why would you need to get my number because apparently it showed up on caller I D because the deadspin article said it was a Mississipi area code? Plus myspace really, I didn’t know anyone actually used that anymore. If I am leaving you a voice mail why wouldnt I just give you my number then? To me the second part of this voice mail doesnt sound like Brett at all just someone with southern talk. My guess is Bret knew about this along time and someone is trying to extort money out of him and he said F U i am not paying.”

You know all you guys that are so Hell bent on suspension you have to realize there was NO illegal activity here! He wasn’t killing dogs, or raping women.
This was activity between two adults, that she took part in as well. Diana even states in her book that he’s cheated on her. There is nothing here. He’s obviously not a real “moral” person, but that’s about it! Being a perv isn’t a crime.

What’s shocking to me is that a lot of media has detailed that Sterger has SOLD the texts and photos to Deadspon.com for a reported $ 75,000, the “most” they have ever paid and you still have not reported that fact…that she has already profited from this, nor have you weighed in with any emphasis that she has a Maxim spread coming in a matter of days.
Why not? It puts an entirely new spin on this.http://www.playerpress.com/articles/11846-favres-pictures-and-voicemails-to-sterger-sold-for-75-000
(any other sites too….)

The one aspect of this investigation that hasn’t been focused on yet is……the timing of it all. I am certainly not a BF apologist but as we all know, the Jets are notorious for signing a player who has been recently cut from their “next opponent’s squad” in order to pilfer any information that may be helpful to them in preparing for that opponent. They just did it again earlier this week by signing Logan Payne wr who was recently cut by the Vikings. I submit that the new attention to the BF/Stenger situation was fueled by the Jets (as they seem to be more than happy to cooperate with the league office) to provide additional distraction for BF and the Vikings heading into their Monday night game. The issue laid dormant for several months but surprisingly reared it’s head this week, LMAO…

FutureChamps,
I am a long-time Packers fan, and will admit that I am no longer a Favre fan. After years of listening to him ramble at press conferences, there is no way that is NOT Brett Favre. It is difficult to believe that someone would or could take the initiative to…
1) Get a Mississippi cell number
2) Obtain Jen Sterger’s cell number
3) Have the spot-on impersonation of Brett Favre
Favre was hound when he was in Green Bay, and everyone knew it, but didn’t care because he was a 3-time MVP and Superbowl champion. Now, he is just a sad, creepy, perverted, old man who still thinks he can get with a hot twenty-something bombshell. People didn’t fawn over him like they did in Green Bay, and he just couldn’t handle that in New York. Minnesota fans are similar to Green Bay fans except for a few differences like they never won a Superbowl, habitually choke in big games, and (believe it or not) are fatter.

Wisconsin_Myself says:
October 10, 2010 10:28 AM
The timing of this is all funny. Especially the two “message therapists”. Nobody can answer why that after two year that this finally comes out when Favre just happens to be playing the Jets.
Actually, this came out a little more than a month ago.

Florio: “Though it’s highly unlikely that a suspension would be imposed on Favre”
What Florio and everyone else is assuming is that everything is 100 % true. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. This isn’t 1987 when :creating” all this stuff on another guy would be almost impossible. With technology today, if someone wanted to ruin another guy, it wouldn’t be that difficult.
There are several things about this whole situation that don’t pass the smell test.
1.) To be honest, Favre’s non-answer on Wednesday sounds odd as best.
2.) Why did she wait TWO YEARS before making a claim if it was such a big deal ???
3.) Why would anyone think Favre would have to contact her thru a MySpace post to get in touch with her, instead of, you know, asking her himself, or getting an intermediary on the team to set them up ???
4.) Not only does this wait two years to come out, but “magically” it comes out a few days before a Monday Night Football Game versus his old team for MAXIMUM exposure. Just a little “too convenient” for me”.
5.) Does anyone really think Favre would sent pictures of his junk to someone else, especially if it is such small junk ???
6.) Stenger says she does not want to press charges, nor even comment on the matter. Hmm ???
7.) Deadspin says they didn’t get the information from Stenger. Umm, who else could they have gotten the info. from then … if it is deemed to be reliable ??? Did someone else hack into her cell phone account ???
8.) If leering at some woman’s’s ass or sending a woman “suggestive” texts would get you into all kinds of trouble, then there are millions of guys in trouble.
Fact is, if this gets settled with no punishment for Favre, or even if it was determined that Favre didn’t do it and he was set-up by someone else, Florio will not only NOT post the retractions with the same fervor that he’s pushing all of these posts, but he’ll likely not even mention it at all.
As I said, I don’t know if this is true or not, but there are a lot of things that just don’t seem right about this story.

This is such a strange story. I’m sure now all sorts of women will be coming out with their Brett stories and 90% of them will be false.
The thing is that in this case there are no charges filed and he didn’t bone anyone. But what if they find out he was donging Perkins staff? Does this become a Tiger round two?
I think he and Deanna have something that resembles an actual relationship so I don’t think she’ll just divorce his ass and take all his money and laugh to the bank. But he might be sleeping on the couch for a while.
As a Vikes fan I’m a bit worried about this distracting Favre. Not the rest of the team so much, but Favre in particular especially.
We need Moss to do something stupid and take the heat off Brett. Moss, run someone in a meaningless uniform over. kthx.

You guys are wrong when you seem to think that the NFL needs a guilty verdict in a court of law to punish Farve.
Here is the bottom line.
She could have asked Farve to send the pics. She could have even encouraged him to do it, but NONE OF THAT MATTERS.
Farve is the employee of the NFL and as such the NFL is allowed to set rules about how they want their employees to behave.
IF they decide that Farve sent pics and messages to the woman AND that such behavior is contrary to the standards they want from their employees, then they have the right to punish him as they see fit, even if she asked for it.
And heres the kicker….THEY DONT NEED IRON CLAD PROOF.
All you people whining about “BUT BUT BUT….THEY DON’T KNOW IT WAS HIM FOR SURE, SHE MIGHT HAVE ASKED FOR IT….THE COPS ARENT INVOLVED…”
Are just that….pathetic, ignorant whiners.
As for this:
“mw says:
he hasn’t violently and intentionally injured anyone (unlike, say, the NO defense when it directly targeted Favre.)”
You are correct. How DARE an opposing defense target a player on the offense.
I mean, its almost like its a contact sport or something.
No defense should be allowed to hit a player on offense. What do were they trying to do, win the game or something?

You people callings for suspensions are stupid. There’s a HUGE difference (generally speaking) between sending a photo of the little guy via text and having more than one woman say that you, Ben R, have phyically assaulted them.
HUGE difference
Ah yes there is a huge difference I agree. The difference is Ben was never arrested, charged, Indicted, or for that matter never even QUESTIONED by Police. Also if they prove that the Pictures were sent from Favre’s phone, then that IS a crime. It’s a crime under the Federal Sexual Harrassment statutes. And whether the woman complains or doesn’t does NOT matter one single bit.
That my friend is what we who ARE Lawyers like to call Lock solid evidence. In Ben’s case there was never any evidence whatsoever. In fact, the girls statements to the GBI were proven Inconsistent. As for the first allegation in Nevada, that was NEVER brought to police. It was a civil matter that has since been proven false and an outright Lie.
What about this don’t you understand my Moronic friend ?

The Vsikings fans are crawling out from under their rocks to defend this guy, the same way they did with the Love Boat thing…In Green Bay, this is dealt with via trade (see James Lofton) or outright release. For years, as a Packers fan, I was guilty of defending slimeballs like Chmura and, until he left, Favre. I can’t believe I was so stupid…Favre is a worm, and an old, overrated one at that.

VikingsPrincess says:
October 10, 2010 10:42 AM
You people callings for suspensions are stupid. There’s a HUGE difference (generally speaking) between sending a photo of the little guy via text and having more than one woman say that you, Ben R, have phyically assaulted them.
Funny, the woman in Nevada didn’t file charges. No evidence in Georgia. You say Ben had more than one accusation, yet you ignore the other two employees from the Jets. Double Standard?

*IF* Brett did this, the absolute worst thing that should happen to him is a fine.
Having been in the corporate world for a long time, I can say that IF he did this AND he backed off when asked – then he derserves a written warning and let’s move on.
_____________________________________
What corporate world do you work in? I know if it was proven that “I” had sent pictures of my cock to a female co-worker I wouldn’t only be fired, I’d be brought up on charges.
“Backed off,” REALLY?
“Brett I just got your pictures of your schlong and they make me uncomfortable, please don’t send me anymore.”
“OK I won’t send anymore”
Then they both go back to work?
I want some of what you’re smokin!

You havn’t continued to “ponder” the situation…..you’ve continued to obsess about it. I’m not a Favre fan but I hope the NFL puts it on a real fast track and tosses it out, so the only one that will be talking about this non-story is moronic Florio.

myasylum says:
October 10, 2010 10:30 AM
As we Folks in Green Bay say…. This comes as no surprise to us. He’s been doing this for years! There are lots of stories around here, that involve him and Mark Chmura.
I’m more surprised it took this long for something to come out! LeRoy Butler even made a comment on local radio, that there is A LOT of stuff that could come out yet. He’s even surprised it took so long.
———————————————-
This post is too damn funny, LMAO……with all the Packer hate towards BF, didn’t they recently put the Molester Chmura in their Packer HOF…..any team that would put a molester in their HOF certainly shouldn’t have much to say about 2 adults sexting. If J. Stenger was so offended, why wait over 2 years to bring this up…….money honey!!!!!!

Where’s the Tiger Woods treatment for Favre? Humiliating your wife seems to be ok for a few people on this page. Why suck up to this chump? He’s a grandpa and doing stuff like that? That’s just childish, plain and simple.

# Steeler-lady says: October 10, 2010 10:27 AM
SUSPENSION…. UNLIKE THE BEN CASE..THERE IS CLEAR AND CUT EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE.SUSPENSION!~!!! !
_________________
Clear and cut evidence? Where and what? Voicemails that “might” be Favre asking a woman to his hotel room, and pics of some dude’s junk, with no face attached to identify the man in the photo? The only “clear and cut” evidence here is the stuff indicating your obvious stupidity and ignorance, such as the suspension demand and your masterful use of caps lock. Shocking to see this from a Steeler fan.

No one should be surprised by his conduct…I am from Milwaukee and there are many, many stories about Favre and Chmura running around town there and in Green Bay, so I will not be surprised if more women come forward now that the cat’s out of the bag! So much for that wholesome image he had created…those of us in WI always knew that was a bunch of BS.

“Clear and cut evidence? Where and what? Voicemails that “might” be Favre asking a woman to his hotel room, and pics of some dude’s junk, with no face attached to identify the man in the photo?”
The voicemails are definitely him or a top-notch impression. Now if the pictures and voicemails came from the same number, it makes it look worse. The massage therapists said they saved his inappropriate text messages. If those came the same cell phone number as the Sterger messages, then things look even worse. If the numbers match, how many coincidences will it take before the Favre fans acknowledge that he acted inappropriately? It seems like an awful lot of effort to pull off a hoax that at best affects Favre mentally in the Jets game and at most, gets him a fine or suspension for a few games.
Let’s also note that Favre didn’t deny anything. I don’t know about you, but if somebody lied about me, faked pictures of my junk, and faked voicemails about me, and these lies could lead to the loss of my family, the loss of millions of dollars in lost paychecks, fines, lost endorsements, and divorce, I would be incredulous.

Terry,
NO! – the most ridiculous use of the conduct policy was giving a four game suspension to an idiot who MAY HAVE done something stupid – but did not get either formally accused or convicted of anything.
myasylum,
Who do you contend raped anyone – you and the others who throw around that accusation so loosely deserve to be sued for slander – unfortunately that is not possible in this blogger culture.
But regardless – I think both that both cases are silly and stupid – – Brett is not a nice person aw shucks – Ben likes women and does what a lot of single men with money do every day – Boo Hoo
Neither is worthy of a suspension except in this distorted world of the great GODell where it is OK for drunk fans to drop F bombs every 15 seconds and spill beer on themselves and the folks sitting near them – not much talk about how this is affecting the lower attendance – but not many parents want to take their kids to a NFL game these days…

crazyjoedavola says: October 10, 2010 11:05 AM
It is difficult to believe that someone would or could take the initiative to…
1) Get a Mississippi cell number
2) Obtain Jen Sterger’s cell number
3) Have the spot-on impersonation of Brett Favre
1) takes any entry level hacker about 5 seconds to obtain a Mississippi phone number and make a call
2) About half the country has it
3) You ever been to Vegas? Go see some of the impersonation shows.

Majiik … what did they have in the Ben case? Some drunk chick with her valley girl voice give 3 different stories… not even a probable cause to bring him in for questioning..and he got suspended.
It wont take much to prove its his voice or his phone…………..and now theres more than one comin out……lmao Funny how it has all changed now that it isnt Ben…………..
Did u even listen to the voicemails? LMAO probably not.

If Favre did it, the NFL may choose to do whatever it pleases if they feel it is necessary. He should be held to the exact same standard that others in the NFL have been in the past.
That being said, there is absolutely no reason that they should expedite the investigation faster than anyone else’s. Fair is fair and expediting anything would not constitute the consistency that Goodell is supposedly striving for.
Think about it, if the NFL takes 6 weeks plus appeal time….. January maybe…. If the league actually planned on suspending him for any amount of time, no way in hell are they going to suspend him this year. If, by chance, the Vikings make the playoffs, they would never suspend a starting quarterback in the playoffs over something that happened 2 years previous. Now maybe if he got DUI during the week, but now for something that happened 2 years ago.
Again, punish him if he is guilty, but do not expedite anything to serve an agenda or to comply with media pressure.

The NFL is investigating this and the Jet’s employment practices.
Streger was hired for her “attributes (real or not).
The “massage therapists” are neither licensed or trained per say as a sports therapist.
Let’s hope the NFL looks into the real issue at hand, why now, prompted by who or what entity and how everything is two years old but now somehow relevant when it wasn’t an issue two years ago.